Gathering in His Name
Try out your Creative Side at Gathered AKY
Gwen Akers
The Ashland Beacon
One vibrant splash of color in our budding downtown Ashland is that of Gathered AKY. A community venue and craft area for downtown, Gathered AKY started with the creative itch of two Ashland women: Jamie Anderson and Leigh Latherow.
Anderson had always loved the idea of hosting a hat bar and having a place for all of her friends to get together and be creative. She also knew she didn’t want to be limited by being just a hat bar, but she wanted some flexibility, some “creativity” in what her place would be. Eventually, after asking some social media friends for advice, Anderson joined forces with Latherow who had an idea for a crafty venue.
“We got on the phone, and she [Latherow] had had this idea for a business where people can come in and do their craft and learn how to do different types of things, and it totally lined up with what I was thinking,” explained Anderson. “We had parallel ideas from each other, and we were able to really flesh it out and make it into what we're doing now.”
The two began with the idea in mind to create a space for the women of the community to hang out and try something new. Latherow noted that she could see a need for women wanting something to do, but they were often limited by the options in our area. Soon enough, the two had pitched the idea of Gathered AKY, a place for everyone to come out and try out their artistic skills.
Anderson, an Ashland native, was born and raised in the area and always loved getting to see her community brought together and she could think of no better way than through a creative outlet like Gathered AKY. Latherow, on the other hand, is originally from Harlan, Ky but has now made Ashland her home. “It's my home now, and I have a deep, deep love for Appalachia and just the people of Appalachia,” commented Latherow. “Once we get past the renovations that are going on downtown it is just going to be vibrant, and we are really excited to be in the heart of it.”
This love for Appalachia and bringing together our town is prevalent in everything the two seek to do. Gathered AKY’s first event was last August, and they have been hosting a variety of events and crafts ever since. From painted pillows, Halloween decorations, watercolor classes and even abstract art classes, time at the studio is never boring.
Their most popular event, however, is that of their Prayer Journal event – which features a speaker, music and fellowship time for the community. “We created a prayer journal that we just came up with, that we designed and developed into something that we thought was meaningful to us and would be meaningful and useful for other women in their walk in faith,” explained Latherow about the event. “It's one that we know that we need to keep doing, because people keep responding so well to it and get so much out of it.”
This event, alongside all their other events, truly showcases the meaning behind the name of the venue. The name Gathered AKY comes from the Bible in Matthew 18:20, which states: “For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.” The two could not be more grateful for all the experiences that Gathered AKY has brought them.
“It’s been really humbling. We are doing what we set out to do. We are bringing people together in this really pretty, welcoming environment, and they are doing things that they don’t get to do every single day.” Anderson shared.
For more information about Gathered AKY and their events, you can check them out on Facebook or join them for their upcoming First Friday open studio event. The studio is also available as a rental space for corporate events and parties.
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